Prithvi Shaw addresses criticism with cryptic social media posts amid form and fitness struggles

Indian opener and Mumbai batter Prithvi Shaw has recently taken to social media to share a cryptic post amidst growing criticism over his fitness and lackluster performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024. Shaw’s Instagram story appeared shortly after a source from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) expressed concerns about his fitness and discipline, adding fuel to the ongoing debate about his exclusion from Mumbai’s squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25.

Prithvi Shaw’s cryptic story

Shaw expressed that one should refrain from speaking on a topic unless they fully understands it. He critiqued the tendency of many people to form and express strong opinions based on incomplete or insufficient information. This statement is widely seen as a direct response to the backlash he has been facing, including the controversial comments from the MCA.

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MCA’s statement raises eyebrows

The 25-year-old opener recently featured in Mumbai’s triumphant Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign, contributing to the team’s success but struggling to make a notable impact with the bat. Across nine innings, Shaw scored just 197 runs without a single half-century, including a disappointing 10-run knock in the final against Madhya Pradesh. While he showcased glimpses of his explosive batting potential, his inability to convert promising starts into significant scores has sparked concerns about his current form.

A source within the MCA had earlier criticized that Shaw needs to improve his fitness, discipline, and performance, with fitness being the primary concern. His physical condition and frame visibly highlight these issues during matches.

“The fitness concern is there, but the performance is also not there currently. He needs to work on his fitness, discipline, and performance. The main issue is the fitness. You see the matches. You get the image, right? Just by looking at his frame, the fitness issues are there for everyone to see,” a source within the MCA said to PTI.

An anonymous source also revealed that  Shaw frequently missed training during the SMAT, citing late-night outings and returning to the hotel at 6 a.m., adding that despite repeated guidance, his lack of discipline is self-sabotaging.

“Prithvi Shaw missed training sessions regularly during SMAT as he would enter the hotel at 6am after being out at night. Everyone has given him the inputs, we can’t babysit him. No one is Shaw’s enemy, he is his own enemy,” the source added

Shaw shares an emotional post following exclusion

The controversial statement from the MCA came after Shaw’s recent exclusion from Mumbai‘s squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 for that Shaw posted heartfelt message and his stats on his Instagram story expressed his frustration over being overlooked despite his stellar domestic record of 3,399 runs in 65 innings at an average of 55.7 and a strike rate of 126. He reaffirmed his faith in God, vowed to make a comeback, and thanked his supporters, signing off with “Om Sai Ram.”

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